Several little things that have come through over the last couple days:

Marshall is now listed as the primary 8th inning guy. Grabow will also get some 8th inning work. Caridad will get some chances to prove himself.

From Lou:

I look at Marshall now as our eighth-inning guy....You get them out left-handed, right-handed, it doesn't matter as long as you get them out."

From Hendry:

"I don't worry about right or left," Hendry said Tuesday. "Grabow, for most of his career, has gotten righties out more than lefties. Marshall's been terrific. People aren't giving him enough credit. We label people in this role and that role.

"We'd certainly like to have another reliever who can pitch," Hendry said. "[Esmailin] Caridad will get more chances."

Is that the first time we've seen Cubs management say that Grabow has reverse splits?

The Cubs also explained more of their thinking behind Z to the bullpen. Apparently they were a little concerned about his velocity dropping and figured moving to the bullpen would improve his fastball velocity like it does for many. It didn't improve the velocity at all which is why they are pulling the plug so quickly on it.

As for who is going to the bullpen when Z returns, I honestly have no idea. Lou had quotes of why they didn't move Dempster or Wells. Hendry says that they felt Silva and Gorzelanny are not fit for bullpen duty. So it could be anybody.

It is maddening to watch Caridad come into the game last night and walk the first guy he faces on 4 pitches. Lou must be pulling his hair out with this kid. He was so good at the end of last season and now he can't find the zone. I agree with Lou though, he needs to pitch his way through this so keep throwing him out there.

CubColtPacer wrote:Several little things that have come through over the last couple days:

Marshall is now listed as the primary 8th inning guy. Grabow will also get some 8th inning work. Caridad will get some chances to prove himself.

From Lou:

I look at Marshall now as our eighth-inning guy....You get them out left-handed, right-handed, it doesn't matter as long as you get them out."

From Hendry:

"I don't worry about right or left," Hendry said Tuesday. "Grabow, for most of his career, has gotten righties out more than lefties. Marshall's been terrific. People aren't giving him enough credit. We label people in this role and that role.

"We'd certainly like to have another reliever who can pitch," Hendry said. "[Esmailin] Caridad will get more chances."

Is that the first time we've seen Cubs management say that Grabow has reverse splits?

The Cubs also explained more of their thinking behind Z to the bullpen. Apparently they were a little concerned about his velocity dropping and figured moving to the bullpen would improve his fastball velocity like it does for many. It didn't improve the velocity at all which is why they are pulling the plug so quickly on it.

As for who is going to the bullpen when Z returns, I honestly have no idea. Lou had quotes of why they didn't move Dempster or Wells. Hendry says that they felt Silva and Gorzelanny are not fit for bullpen duty. So it could be anybody.

dew wrote:I haven't checked on his stats this year in the minors, but I really wish they'd give Jeff Stevens a shot soon. I like Caridad, but I think Stevens is our best option currently after Marmol/Marshall.

If I remember right (I may not), he's given up several walks. That might be why they haven't called him up.

CubColtPacer wrote: The Cubs also explained more of their thinking behind Z to the bullpen. Apparently they were a little concerned about his velocity dropping and figured moving to the bullpen would improve his fastball velocity like it does for many. It didn't improve the velocity at all which is why they are pulling the plug so quickly on it.

Which just makes it more maddening. Why is priority number 1 raising Zambrano's velocity? If that's your goal then go ahead and move every starter to the bullpen.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

I would rather have Baker vs. a RHP than Tracy vs. anyone.

Rondon Fan wrote:I'm out. Hopefully I'll get the alert in the morning that the Cubs won on Javy's 12th inning homer.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

What would be the point of Tracy? They already have Colvin and Fontenot as lefties off the bench for most games, plus Fukudome in any game Nady starts. At least Baker does something, hit lefties. Tracy brings nothing to the table.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

I would rather have Baker vs. a RHP than Tracy vs. anyone.

I'd rather have the guy that doesn't make an out 70% of the time.

Baker against lefties - .313 .389 .594

Read his post again.

Some people's post don't show up on my screen.I'm responding to you wanting Tracy. Why? Take the guy who does something good if you can.

Baker is just redundant. He's likely never going to start a game at 2nd again this year so the only at bats he'll get will be at 3rd when Aramis needa a day off. I'd rather sub Aramis with a Tracy against a righty since Tracy has proven in the past to hit rhp fairly well.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

nick23 wrote:While we're making roster moves, can we please bring Chad Tracy back up? There's really no point in keeping Baker since he's no longer part of a platoon and Nady is the 1st righty off the bench.

I would rather have Baker vs. a RHP than Tracy vs. anyone.

I'd rather have the guy that doesn't make an out 70% of the time.

Tracy is definitely better than Baker against righties, but he only has a .714 OPS this year against them. Baker against lefties has a .986 OPS. Even considering the small sample sizes, Baker provides more upside than Tracy does unless Tracy improves dramatically.

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nick23 wrote:Baker is just redundant. He's likely never going to start a game at 2nd again this year so the only at bats he'll get will be at 3rd when Aramis needa a day off. I'd rather sub Aramis with a Tracy against a righty since Tracy has proven in the past to hit rhp fairly well.

nick23 wrote:Baker is just redundant. He's likely never going to start a game at 2nd again this year so the only at bats he'll get will be at 3rd when Aramis needa a day off. I'd rather sub Aramis with a Tracy against a righty since Tracy has proven in the past to hit rhp fairly well.

Baker will get more pinch-hit at-bats though. He's the only right-handed player off the bench when the Cubs face a left-handed starter (except for Hill who doesn't really count in a pinch hitting discussion). Baker can also play all over the field which gives Lou more options to work around with his other players.

The Cubs also have more left-handed players that need to be replaced with a right-hander for certain at-bats against LOOGY's, so it's good to have 2 good right-handed bats on the bench. 3 left-handed bats on the bench is pretty redundant because the only player that needs to be substituted for if a right-hander on the mound is Baker. Since Tracy is the 3rd of those left-handed batters, it's unlikely the pitcher's spot is going to come up 3 times and need pinch-hitters.

So yes, Tracy is likely a slightly better backup to Aramis, but Baker beats him in every other area.

Not to mention the fact that Tracy is already down in Iowa. If the Cubs need him in case of an Aramis injury, he can be called back up. If Baker leaves, the Cubs might not be able to keep him. And if Theriot or Castro gets hurt, the Cubs will want Baker as an option.